October 2007
CAN... CAN, CAN... CAN... CAN YOU BRING A CAN?
VVA Chapter 96
has a long history of trying to assist needy vets. Back in the
earliest days of the chapter in the mid-1980s, we even greatly
overreached ourselves and for awhile undertook what was pretty much our
own local housing program for homeless vets. From time to time
since, we have tried to lend a hand in the short term, when we could,
to various individuals... and, for a number of years in times past we
collected canned goods and augmented those with other items from
Chapter 96 funds in our Operation Breadbasket program for needy
families at Christmas-time.
We've been rather remiss lately, and those kind of efforts fell into a black hole of inactivity. But now it is time to "rise and shine". While we were gathering wool the Auxiliary at American Legion Post 13 (among others) has been quite active.
I've been trying to pay attention but if I told you that I fully understand the nature and scope of what is underway... I would be lying. Let me just say that there is a coordinated effort going on to assist needy local veterans in a number of ways and that this effort has various aspects and participants... and needs more. If I understand correctly, one of those aspects is that if a homeless vet does his or her part, he or she can even come out owning his or her own home in two years. But that's the "finish line", so to speak. There are many small steps along the way and whether a vet makes it to the "finish line" or not there is a constant need for canned goods... need greater than has yet been altogether met.
So, Chapter 96 has been called on to help out with the canned goods drive. Mind you now... unlike Operation Breadbasket, this current effort has nothing in particular to do with Christmas. It is an "ongoing operation". The need is constant. But, don't go digging that old rusty can of Lima beans out of the back of the closet. It will end up in the TRASH. Please be sure that all donated canned goods are not near or past their expiration date!
Hope this message finds everyone in good health and spirits. Having conquered my 60th birthday recently makes one wonder and to really appreciate being able to get up each day and live life at it fullest.
To those of you who did not know, Tom Mannin passed away recently. He was past president of Florida State Council and a tireless advocate for veterans. He will be greatly missed by his family, his chapter and Vietnam vets of Florida. Rest in peace brother.
At the last meeting I ask everyone to start bringing some type of non-perishable foods of toiletry items so we can start building our supplies again for the needy.
One of our main fundraisers, Bradley's Fun Day, is just around the corner on Saturday, November 17th. Please plan on helping if at all possible. Ken has order 400 lb.. of sausage. We'll be loading up supplies and setting up our site on Friday, November 16th. We have been doing Bradley's for 15 years. It's a lot of work, but also a lot of fun and is worth the effort. (continued on back of page)
At our last Board meeting we discussed having just one Board meeting a month. We're going to do this on a trial basis for three months, on the 3rd Thursday of the month. We extended our Board meeting to conduct business from 5:45 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The general membership meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.
We are going to have several guest speakers at the next meeting on October 18th. Plan to attend.
Lest we forget.
Rick Clevenger, President
We've been rather remiss lately, and those kind of efforts fell into a black hole of inactivity. But now it is time to "rise and shine". While we were gathering wool the Auxiliary at American Legion Post 13 (among others) has been quite active.
I've been trying to pay attention but if I told you that I fully understand the nature and scope of what is underway... I would be lying. Let me just say that there is a coordinated effort going on to assist needy local veterans in a number of ways and that this effort has various aspects and participants... and needs more. If I understand correctly, one of those aspects is that if a homeless vet does his or her part, he or she can even come out owning his or her own home in two years. But that's the "finish line", so to speak. There are many small steps along the way and whether a vet makes it to the "finish line" or not there is a constant need for canned goods... need greater than has yet been altogether met.
So, Chapter 96 has been called on to help out with the canned goods drive. Mind you now... unlike Operation Breadbasket, this current effort has nothing in particular to do with Christmas. It is an "ongoing operation". The need is constant. But, don't go digging that old rusty can of Lima beans out of the back of the closet. It will end up in the TRASH. Please be sure that all donated canned goods are not near or past their expiration date!
UPCOMING CHAPTER 96 MEETINGS
October 18, 2007 -
November 15, 2007
- December 20, 2007
Board meets at 5:45 p.m., Membership meets at 7:00 p.m.
Board meets at 5:45 p.m., Membership meets at 7:00 p.m.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hope this message finds everyone in good health and spirits. Having conquered my 60th birthday recently makes one wonder and to really appreciate being able to get up each day and live life at it fullest.
To those of you who did not know, Tom Mannin passed away recently. He was past president of Florida State Council and a tireless advocate for veterans. He will be greatly missed by his family, his chapter and Vietnam vets of Florida. Rest in peace brother.
At the last meeting I ask everyone to start bringing some type of non-perishable foods of toiletry items so we can start building our supplies again for the needy.
One of our main fundraisers, Bradley's Fun Day, is just around the corner on Saturday, November 17th. Please plan on helping if at all possible. Ken has order 400 lb.. of sausage. We'll be loading up supplies and setting up our site on Friday, November 16th. We have been doing Bradley's for 15 years. It's a lot of work, but also a lot of fun and is worth the effort. (continued on back of page)
At our last Board meeting we discussed having just one Board meeting a month. We're going to do this on a trial basis for three months, on the 3rd Thursday of the month. We extended our Board meeting to conduct business from 5:45 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The general membership meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.
We are going to have several guest speakers at the next meeting on October 18th. Plan to attend.
Rick Clevenger, President
POSSIBLE FUND RAISER?
At the October 18th, Board and Membership meeting we will have initial
discussion as to the possibility of Co-Hosting / Co-Sponsoring with the
Tallahassee Classic Chevy Club a Car, Truck, and Bike Show on March 29,
2008. This event will be a fund raiser for the Hootch/Chapter
Anniversary activities in November 2008. If you are interested in
helping please attend the meeting.
Charlie YontsEMERGENCY NOTIFICATION
Ever wonder how long it would take to get
emergency notification in case of a serious accident? The State
of Florida, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, now has a
system to help assure who is notified, accessible to law
enforcement. You can designate that yourself with names and phone
numbers. Sign up on the web at:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ECIHistory1.htm
Richard I. Koeteeuw, Sr.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S.
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. "Who would'a thunk it?" An acronym! It stands for Bringing Relevant Inter-generational Discussions & Experiences to Students.
Andrea Oliver, an American history professor at Tallahassee Community College has created an oral history requirement for her students. They will be assigned in teams of three, to interview veterans... so Andrea is looking for victims... er, I mean volunteers. Seriously folks, to most college students these days the Vietnam War is "ancient history". Here's your chance to breathe some life into it for them. Or maybe not... who knows? You might end up being interviewed by and comparing notes with a veteran of the operations in Iraq or Afghanistan! As I understand it, although the interviews will be done by a "Gang of Three", all of the groups will present finished reports to the whole class. Prof. Oliver will talk to us about this opportunity at our meeting on October 18th. If you are interested in participating, please contact her by phone at (850) 201-9603, or by e-mail at olivera@tcc.fl.edu
If it seems like you haven't heard much about Hospice lately, maybe you just missed its expansion and name change... it's now known as Covenant Hospice and serves a larger multi-county chunk of territory. Covenant Hospice has a specific program aimed at recruiting veterans to serve in its "Military Ambassador Program". If you are interested, contact Cheree' Pittman at (850) 575-4998 or lashunda.pittman@covenanthospice.org
Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, 12 November, this year. The parade, the breakfast at American Legion Post 13, the lunch at VFW Post 3308... those will all be on the 12th. If VVA Chapter 96 has any plans for special activities that day... your Free Fire Wire editor hasn't heard anything about them... yet.
As I said last month... there is a membership application form enclosed with your newsletter, and that will be an ongoing "thing". It's there so all of our members can go out and recruit new members for Chapter 96. So far, the number recruited stands at ZERO. That means you all need to sign up TWO new members this month!
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. "Who would'a thunk it?" An acronym! It stands for Bringing Relevant Inter-generational Discussions & Experiences to Students.
Andrea Oliver, an American history professor at Tallahassee Community College has created an oral history requirement for her students. They will be assigned in teams of three, to interview veterans... so Andrea is looking for victims... er, I mean volunteers. Seriously folks, to most college students these days the Vietnam War is "ancient history". Here's your chance to breathe some life into it for them. Or maybe not... who knows? You might end up being interviewed by and comparing notes with a veteran of the operations in Iraq or Afghanistan! As I understand it, although the interviews will be done by a "Gang of Three", all of the groups will present finished reports to the whole class. Prof. Oliver will talk to us about this opportunity at our meeting on October 18th. If you are interested in participating, please contact her by phone at (850) 201-9603, or by e-mail at olivera@tcc.fl.edu
HOSPICE
If it seems like you haven't heard much about Hospice lately, maybe you just missed its expansion and name change... it's now known as Covenant Hospice and serves a larger multi-county chunk of territory. Covenant Hospice has a specific program aimed at recruiting veterans to serve in its "Military Ambassador Program". If you are interested, contact Cheree' Pittman at (850) 575-4998 or lashunda.pittman@covenanthospice.org
VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, 12 November, this year. The parade, the breakfast at American Legion Post 13, the lunch at VFW Post 3308... those will all be on the 12th. If VVA Chapter 96 has any plans for special activities that day... your Free Fire Wire editor hasn't heard anything about them... yet.
MEMBERSHIP
As I said last month... there is a membership application form enclosed with your newsletter, and that will be an ongoing "thing". It's there so all of our members can go out and recruit new members for Chapter 96. So far, the number recruited stands at ZERO. That means you all need to sign up TWO new members this month!
Richard White, Chair
Membership Affairs Committee
Membership Affairs Committee
Chapter 96's web site is - http://vva96.org